Seven wild elephants have been killed by a high speed passenger train while crossing over the tracks in India.
The driving force had applied the emergency brakes after spotting the herd of 100 animals within the north-eastern state of Assam at 2.17am local time this morning.
No human casualties were reported, however the hard braking derailed the engine and five carriages.
The Rajdhani Express train was carrying 650 passengers from Sairang in Mizoram state to the capital Latest Delhi.
It forms a part of a premium brand of services operated to and from the capital by India Railways, that are commonly given priority on the network.
Elephant crossings are a frequent occurrence on India’s railways, nonetheless the state operator confirmed that the forested area 78 miles south east of town of Guwahati was not a known corridor.
Nonetheless Assam is thought for its high concentration of untamed Asiatic elephants, with an estimated 7,000 of the species within the state.
A dozen elephants have been killed by passenger trains in the realm since 2020.
Elephants often stray into human territory right now of the yr, as rice fields are being harvested.
Indian Railways said in an announcement: ‘We delinked the coaches which weren’t derailed, and the train resumed its journey for Latest Delhi.
‘Around 200 passengers who were within the five derailed coaches have been moved to Guwahati in a unique train.’
The railway added: ‘Trains scheduled to go through that section are being diverted through one other line. Restoration works are on.’
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